Anna Wood, by Rebekah A. Morris

“Could God choose to use even her weakness? Miss Anna Albert is worried. In the months since their son’s disappearance, Mrs. Kenagy has grown steadily sadder, while her husband seems to have turned his back on God. But what really happened to Ben? Is there any way to know for sure? And how could a girl with no voice ever help find the answer? When she confides her troubles to Jim Wood, he offers his assistance in solving the puzzle, but to Anna’s surprise, he seems to truly want her help. Is it possible God can use her despite her silence? And might He have plans for her beyond her greatest dreams?” ~from Amazon

Title: Anna Wood

Author: Rebekah A. Morris

Genre(s): Christian Western

Rating: ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ (four stars)

Romance Content: Detailed in review.

Recommended age range: 12+?

My Review:

Another interesting book in the Woodbreak series! I enjoyed spending more time with Miss Anna Albert/Wood and learning more about her life. The premise of her not speaking is an interesting one. I kept expecting her to be able to speak later in the book, SPOILER! but, sadly, that did not happen. SPOILER END! Nevertheless, this facet to the book provided more opportunity for meaning in the story.

Now, while theoretically this is primarily a mystery/western, there was a romantic aspect to it. To me, the romance was on the edge of being too much (but, as those who follow my reviews know, I am very particular about such things). I would consider it to be mostly a God-honoring romance. The things that I did not agree with were 1) the man touching the woman before marriage (cheek, hand, arm) and 2) no mention of the man asking the woman’s male authority for permission before asking her if he could court her. (Though that word is not used, the relationship, little detailed though it is, seems to follow such a model.) However, I appreciate that the emphasis from both Jim’s and Anna’s perspective is on the other being a godly individual and on good character traits, not on looks or even necessarily feelings.

With all that said, I did enjoy reading this book! I would let my younger siblings read it, and I would like to read the next book in the series. Although, even the synopsis of that one hints at romance; have any of my readers read Lake Wood and do you think I would be okay with it? 😉